Nonsuicidal self injury was often negatively reinforced and used as a method to escape anxeity, anger or sadness

This was prompted via follow-up questions when adolescents and young adults reported NSSI in an EMA study. Negative reinforcement to reduce negative affect was the function of 65% of NSSI episodes.

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References §

• Nock2009 - Revealing the form and function of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, A real-time ecological assessment study among adolescents and young adults